Disable or enable Restricted Mode

Restricted Mode is an optional setting that you can use to help screen out potentially mature content that you may prefer not to see or don’t want others in your family to see.

We use many signals—such as video title, description, metadata, Community Guidelines reviews, and age-restrictions—to identify and filter out potentially mature content. Restricted Mode is available in all languages, but due to differences in cultural norms and sensitivities, the quality may vary.

When restricted mode is enabled, you will not be able to see comments on the videos you watch.

Turn Restricted Mode on or off

Computers in libraries, universities, and other public institutions may have Restricted Mode enabled by the system administrator. If you're using a public computer and can't disable Restricted Mode, contact your system administrator.

Before you start: Restricted Mode works on the browser or device level, so you must turn it on for each browser you use. If your browser supports multiple profiles, you must enable it for each profile. If you want Restricted Mode to stay enabled for anyone using this browser, you can lock Restricted Mode.

There are two versions of the YouTube desktop experience, the current version and the old version. Follow the instructions for the experience you have.

Stuck in Restricted Mode even after attempting to disable?

Old desktop experience

Turn Restricted Mode on or off

Scroll to the bottom of any YouTube page and click the Restricted Mode drop-down menu.

Select On or Off.

Click Save.

Once enabled, Restricted Mode remains on, even if you sign out. If another person signs in to YouTube, Restricted Mode will still be on. If you want to make sure that other users on the computer can’t change the setting, be sure to lock Restricted Mode and sign out of the account.

Lock or unlock Restricted Mode

Lock Restricted Mode

Sign in to YouTube.

Scroll to the bottom of any YouTube page and click the Restricted Mode drop-down menu.

Select Lock Restricted Mode on this browser.

When prompted, enter your password.

Unlock Restricted Mode

Sign in to YouTube.

Scroll to the bottom of any YouTube page and click Unlock Restricted Mode on this browser.